Pop Art Fashion Illustration Paintings Prints - Women, Diva, Mermaid, Horse, Cat, Dog, Angel, Fairy, Nude Art - Shano

hit counter code

Interview for EBSQ Art:

How long have you been creating? I have drawing and painting since I could walk and talk (My first drawing at 18 months of age was of a person riding a horse. It looked like a fly sitting on a spider. I was into really bulgy eyes and LOTS of legs.) Professionally I have been selling my artwork for 7 or 8 years now.

What is your media of choice? I love to paint in acrylics. The faster the paint dries, the better. I often work with a heater blowing on the wet paint as I go. I have also been doing a lot of digital images the last few years. Because I create art logos for businesses, most of the time it makes more sense to create a digital image where I can skip the scanning and color matching. If the color is off, or an arm or leg needs to be moved, it is just a couple clicks of the mouse. However, I still prefer losing myself in a painting while in the serenity of my studio listening to music, rather than working in a home office with the children's cartoons as background noise and a husband asking what's for dinner.

What are your motivations for creating? Coffee. That and the overwhelming amount of images and concepts that sit in my head wanting to escape onto canvas. I love broody lighting and bright colors, which I am aware is a bit of a paradox. I love to live vicariously through the divas that I create and live an extraordinarily glamorous lifestyle in my own little head. It also helps that I am a magazine junky and am hopelessly devoted to pop culture and fashion. Not necessarily what to wear (I prefer classic Hollywood glam) but rather the poses, jewelry, shoes, and attitude. I'm a big fan of JANE magazine's snarky demeanor, book and music reviews, and "must have" items for the average big-city girl. Living out here in the country on a small island, I need my urban fix. I think my women that I paint reflect all that is metropolitan with a cowgirl twist.

What other artists or movements inform your work? I admire and appreciate so many types of art, but my preference is definitely for figurative artists that aren't afraid of color. I enjoy Gustav Klimt, Amedeo Modgliani, Marc Chagal, and Franz Marc for their intensity, moody expressions, and the way they distort and emphasize dreamy subject matter. I love Erte for the outrageous costume design and fashion illustrations. Tamara de Lempicka embodies all that is enchanting and sexy. I can't seem to get enough of Gil Elvgren's pin up girls and flirtatious Lolita's. And then of course, Roy Lichtenstein for his drama and humor.

What do you find visually stimulating right now? Sleep. Being a chronic insomniac, I have been simply obsessed in creating a series of elegant women in black evening gowns in a somnolent state of mind. I have been adding a splash of paint over the entire painting to award an ethereal and celestial essence. In my version of a perfect world women have perfect hair, 18" waists, wear haute couture, and sleep through night uninterrupted.

Read anything good lately? Wow. It's been awhile since I've read anything really good. But because I fly to Las Vegas a few times a year to visit my parents, there is this wonderful gallery/art shop in the Seattle airport where I treat myself to one of Brian Andreas' books from his Story People series. His art and publications are so very quirky and entertaining.

Tell us about some of your artistic goals for 2007. This is the year that I intend to hit the art fairs in my little 10' x 10' white tent. My studio is not only filling up with original paintings, but prints, tote bags, mouse pads, purses, checkbook covers, bookmarks, and even jewelry (and a 10' x 10' white tent). I have been creating like a madwoman! Not to mention I'd rather take the full commission of sales ALL for myself without having to share with a gallery. (No offense galleries that are currently showing my work! Love you! You're the best!)

What would you like your fellow EBSQ artists and our collectors to know about you and/or your work? My favorite color is red, I like sparkly things, clothes that don't bunch up, and popcorn with Frank's Red Hot sauce. I dislike waking up early, bugs, and people who chew with their mouth open. And most importantly, nothing makes me happier than a sale from my website (www.shano-studio.com) and that I can be really bad at answering emails in a timely fashion. But be assured that orders ship within 3 business days! Thanks bunches :)

General Questions:

Is you studio open to the public? I'm afraid not. I have a small studio on our small ranch on Camano Island in Washington State. It houses not only my paintings, but the many shipping supplies and art paraphernalia used to create pieces.

Do you have a catalog? Other than the online portfolio of images, I can supply tear sheets of images not on the website which I can send as file attachments in emails. (There are currently over 227 images). These are large .tif files at 300 dpi each image. Because they do not have the Šshano-studio copyright, I will send these only to authorized companies such as licensing agencies.

Do you do commissioned paintings or create logos for companies? Yes! Please email for rates and availability.

Can I find a store or gallery with your work in my area? This depends. Please email me your city and state and I can give you a list of places of business that sell in your area.

Can I use your images on my website? I retain all copyrights of images. Strict Federal Copyright laws have been designed to protect the rights of artists, and unauthorized reproduction will have legal and financial consequences. Due to the overwhelming amount of misused ŠShano images, we will prosecute individuals who steal images via website or purchased products such as prints and paintings.

However, if you would like to have a ŠShano image on your fan based website (This excludes all Business, Retail or Commercial websites), you may do so if you do not alter the image in ANY WAY, as well as use the image to link back to the www.shano-studio.com homepage (Please, no more than 4 images per site). If you are in doubt and unsure whether or not you can use image(s), please contact us. If you see a ŠShano image(s) being used improperly, please email the website URL in question.

More Copyright Info:
http://www.copyright.gov/
http://www.whatiscopyright.org/

Do you ever trade or barter services or goods for your prints? Occasionally. I'm always open to suggestions. It can't hurt to email me with your proposition. Be sure to include links to your website or goods/services. I am an art connoisseur, but I have absolutely NO more wall space to trade paintings with other artists.

Do you exchange links? I will almost always exchange links if your website has a clearly visible LINKS page where others browsing your site will readily find your LINKS page.

What kind of horses do you have and what riding discipline do you use? I have two horses and a pony. I have a foundation bred Quarter Horse named Nick which is my primary riding horse. He's a big goofy gelding. I am currently training a three year old black Canadian gelding named Marco. I primarily ride (and train) bareback just for pleasure (Western and English) although my sisters and I used to barrel race professionally when we were younger.

Do you ever paint men? Rarely. I do not enjoy painting men because I cannot capture the essence of men that I would like to convey on canvas. I enjoy painting women because both genders find women are aesthetically pleasing to the eye. Curvy and soft, women are graceful whereas men are strong, bold creatures.   I mostly paint women because I love to live vicariously through the divas I create. I love to enhance the features that most of us women desire: tiny waists, long legs, shiny long hair, exotic eyes and pouty lips.

What kind of a name is Shano? Is this your first name or last name? My full name is Shannon. Most people call me Shano. I'm not sure how I got this nickname but I have had it since 7th grade. I guess I look like a "Shano". I will respond to Shano or Shannon, but prefer Shano. As far as a last name, I do have one. After one disturbing person a few years back, I have decided not to share my last name with the public.

If I sent a picture of myself, could you paint it? I can always paint a "diva"esque painting in your likeness at commissioned prices, or if you are a particularly inspiring person, I can take requests. I can keep you posted through my newsletter when the painting is offered for sale on my website. This is first come, first serve. Grab it while you can! You can join the newsletter here:

21 QUESTIONS WITH THE RAW ARTIST

1) we get word that a meteor large enough to destroy earth will hit in 24 hours how do you spend your last hours? Tracking down Tom Cruise. It's his fault somehow.

2) do you believe in reincarnation or do u think when your time is up thats it? I believe in reincarnation, aliens, ghosts, and pop tarts.

3) you wake up tomorrow as someone else (past or present) -- who is it and why? My only request that it be anybody other than Paris Hilton . . . and of course Tom Cruise because it's probably his fault that I woke up as somebody else.

4) exquisite beauty or unmatched intelligence? Hm. Anna Nicole Smith keeps flashing in my mind which is really quite scary. But on the other hand I don't know if I could deal with having to do math every day. This is much too hard a question. It's hurting my brain. I need to rest now.

5) your partner/significant other, your mother, and your best friend can each have one word to describe you what word do you think they would use (answer before asking them) then ask them and respond. Husband: Beeyatch. Mom: Smart. Best Friend: Perfect (She says this as a joke. Because I am so NOT.) Actual answers: Husband- Multifaceted. Mom- Joie de Vivre (Which means Joy of Life. I had to ask. Mom cheats. She used three words. In French. My head hurts. I need to rest.) Best Friend- Brilliant. (Which is why she is my best friend- Her remarkable ability to lie to me.)

6) you are on a nude beach do you take it all off or just watch? Unless somebody pays me an exorbitant amount of money, the clothes stay on. Or unless I'm really drunk.

7) dog or cat person? Both. Got myself five dogs and three cats. There is much poop around here.

8) I turn on your cd or mp3 player on right now what am I listening to? KT Tunstall, Carla Bruni, Joss Stone, Holly Palmer (I Confess Album), Nina Simone, Natasha Beddingfield, and a bit of Sia, Jem and Ani DiFranco.

9) what do you feel is your best characteristic and what is your biggest fault? Best? I am good at multitasking. Worst? I forget what I'm doing. A LOT.

10) when I go to a hotel I bring my own sheets, pillow and flip-flops to where in the shower.. What are some of your quirks others may find unusual? I don't have any quirks! I can be quite annoying, but I am quirkless. I think that's my quirk.

11) you can change one thing about yourself anything what do u change? I need a quirk.

12) you wake up tomorrow with no desire to ever create art again what do you do for a living? Professional Couch Potato and Wine Taster. (I can multitask professions.)

13) youre currently reading All Souls by Michael Patrick MacDonald and US Weekly for brain fluff.

14) your favorite movie of all time is Heathers

15) your favorite actor & actress Scott Foley and Joaquin Phoenix are both my boyfriends right now, so I have to include them. Favorite actress? Keri Russell. I have an unhealthy obsession with Felicity actors. Perhaps this can be my quirk?

16) your most embarrassing moment is. I have an uncanny ability to repress these memories. I know I did something recently. Probably yesterday. Or even this morning.

17) youre afraid ofBugs, heights and Donald Trump's hair.

18) youre self conscious about.My hair. Which I cut myself. Jon Bon Jovi called and he wants it back.

19) three likes and three dislikes please list Likes: Cheesecake, Sparkly things, and the color red. Dislikes: Food smackers, Being ignored, and falling down.

20) your greatest accomplishment so far in your life I don't wear t-shirts and stretch pants.

21) your epitaph will read. She went down not wearing t-shirts and stretch pants.

1)How did you get into illustration? What sort of training did you have? Did you have any notable experiences as you began getting more involved in the field? I've always been an artist, constantly drawing as a child, but it wasn't until I studied at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising right out of high school, which strongly influenced my art. Once I learned how to create a fashion figure, I was constantly doodling my dream wardrobe. When I started to paint I had an incredibly difficult time leaving the pen and ink behind, but I noticed that the art world was willing to pay more for paintings more so than illustrations. Today, clients hire my services to create an illustration that I turn into a high-resolution digital image and charge them for licensing the copyrights. The painting of the same image I sell to a private collector.

2)What do you consider the most important skills for an illustrator to have? I believe the most important skill for an illustrator to have is to have a talent that sets you apart from the rest. A style of art that is recognizable as your own will get you much further than the rest. Another important skill is customer service when dealing with clients. Very often clients will request edits on illustrations which may not be as visually stimulating or compositionally correct as the first draft created. Always try to give the client what they want and ask for because it is not up to the illustrator to challenge this. An illustrator will go much farther in the business if not deemed difficult to work with.

3)While most illustration work is on a freelance basis for a variety of industries, could you please discuss a few experiences that had to do with fashion? Most of my work is fashion orientated, so most of my clients want fashion illustrations for their company logos. Many of the people who hire my services are jewelry, purse and clothing designers. The most common project for each client is to incorporate his or her line of business into the logo illustration. Occasionally, clients will send photos of designs that they would like to see illustrated on a fashion figure.

4)What do you think is the best way to get experience in the illustration business? Price your services low and gradually increase your prices. Networking is especially useful. Word of mouth is the best advertising any business or illustrator can have. (Not to mention, free!) Of course, I highly recommend setting up a high quality website to show off your portfolio. This is reasonably easy and low cost to create if you can do it yourself. Register with search engines and let businesses come to you.

5)Is location important for an illustrator, especially one who wants to work in fashion? I have not found that location is terribly important if one can work on the Internet. There are many illustration websites that can create a portfolio for the illustrator, or web services to help businesses seeking illustrators to find particular works. Thanks to the Internet, I have been able to do business with clients around the world. The great thing about being an illustrator is that your illustration portfolio will always speak for itself, be it online or brick and mortar agency.

6)Do you think an illustrator needs and agent? Do you have one, or have you ever had one? I think that if you find a good agent, they are worth the commission that they charge. But are they a necessity? No. Many of my friends in the illustration business have great things happen with their illustration art, but I have yet to hire an agent for my illustrative services. Not that I am opposed to hiring an agent, but have not found the need as of yet.

7)What are some of the publications your work has featured in, and of which you are most proud? It was a surprising treat to find that my art clutches were a "Must Have" in Today's Black Woman magazine. It was unexpected that the purses were a featured item and a bonus to have my art mentioned specifically. In most cases the artist gets little or no recognition when illustrations are used. Thanks to a joint effort in creating art clutches and bags with Posh by Tori, my logos and art work has been in many publications such as Cosmo Girl, Seventeen, numerous online publications and the television show Inside Edition.

8)What do you think of the market for illustrators at the moment? How hard is it to break in? Have photographers taken a lot of the jobs? I have not found it hard to break into the illustration business, nor do I feel that photographers have taken many of the jobs. Editors and clients will either prefer illustration artwork or photography. When dealing with another person's taste you just have to hope that they prefer illustrations.

Any advice for a young illustrator? Practice developing a style unique to you. Being different from the crowd will set you apart from the rest. And again, get a portfolio together, be it in a leather attaché or online and get your art out there. Best of luck!

Interview for StyleCareer.com

Interview for College Student:

1. What is your artistic background? My artistic background consists of always drawing as a child to studying fashion illustration at Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Sherman Oaks, California and then on to Cal State Northridge.

2. In your own opinion, what is pop art? In my opinion, Pop Art is a portrayal of modern icons painted in a 2-D flat, smooth surface.

3.What made you decide to devote so much of your artistic time to pop art:-
How much of an influence was Andy Warhol's work and others? The work of Andy Warhol is undoubtedly genius, but I would have to say that Roy Liechtenstein is far more influential over my style of work. I am intrigued by their underlying humor in such serious pieces of work. This is something I dedicate a lot of time to achieving in my own style of painting.

4. Whilst browsing your site, I noticed your painting Ode to Roy. How much
of an influence was Roy Lichtenstein on your work? As mentioned before, Roy Liechtenstein's art is very influential on my art. I love the melodramatic expressions and bold colors of his work immensely.

5. Have you ever done any shows:- Are there any exhibitions where people can
view your work? I have had many shows in the past. This coming weekend I will participate in the AAUW show in Stanwood, Washington. I will also have a few original paintings in the Kindred Circle Gallery in Edmonds Washington next month.

6. You have such a unique style:- How did it develop? Thank you for the compliment. I best describe my artwork as Contemporary Folk Art with a Twist of Pop. I think my fashion illustration background most influences my painting, but I do try to further abstract figures just enough to make them interesting without being grotesque as to entise the viewer with a hint of satirical dark humor.

7. What plans do you have for the future, regarding your artwork? I'm going to keep on doing what I'm doing. I intend to seek more licensing gigs and market more stock images for a passive income.

8. Finally, any aspect of your work with pop art that you would like to
comment on? I am most definitely influenced by the Pop Art Artists, but they are only part of influencing my body of work. I'm a huge fan of Liechtenstein, but also love art deco pieces of Tamara de Lempicka and Erte. I love the bold colors and dream like quality of Chagal. I am also influenced by Franz Marc's soft yet bold colors and subject matter. However, my favorite quality of Pop Art, if you will, is the ability to capture and enforce color by outlining the subject(s) in black lines. I couldn't paint if I couldn't outline my figures in black!

Did you attend to a regular college or a specified [art] college?
I attended the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Sherman Oaks as a Fashion Designer, California as well as Cal State Northridge as an art major.

How many years in college did you attend?
Too many! As a professional student I transfered a lot where many of the classes I took were not transferable. I believe I went to school six years. (I attended other colleges and universities in short stints.)

What subjects or courses did you take?
Mostly art classes and general core classes. I was even a sociology major at one time.

Who inspires your work?
I am inspired by Tamara de Lempicka, Chagall, Franz Marc, Hopper, and Roy Leichenstein.

How did you get started?
I have always drawn, but I became an artist out of neccessity. I am a stay at home mom and needed the suplimental income. However suplimental, my income will occassional exceed my husband's.

Have you always wanted to be a fashion illustrator?
I honestly didn't know that being a fashion illustrator was a career. I thought that it was the designer who was also the illustrator. Being a fashion illustrator, I cannot say that I am only a fashion illustrator. I also consider myself an artist because I sell the fashion illustrations. I do gallery shows. I also license the images of the fashion illustrations. I am not sure there is such a creature who is solely a fashion illustrator. As an artist, you must do whatever it takes to get your name out there and make a living.

What was your first art related job?
My first art related job was as a freelance muralist during college. Businesses and private clients would hire me to paint murals on walls. I also worked with a small Mural company in the San Fernando Valley, California.

What are the basic skills needed?
You need to understand the human figure, especially an elogated (9 heads tall) figure. You must be motivated and ambitious because not everybody is going to love your unique style until you've established your unique style. You also must be good at customer service. Timely, reliable and polite.

Describe your style.
Bold colors. Simple backgrounds. Elegant yet distorted features and figures without being grotesque.

Is the competition between fashion photographers hard?
I don't find there is competition between fashion photographers and illustrators at all. It's simply a different type of art which the client has subjective control of. The client ultimately is going to choose photography or illustration and will probably stay loyal to their choice of art.

Which companies are best to work with?
I tend to enjoy working with companies that are not overly demanding in their time frames. I do not like working with rude clients, but rather with clients who choose their words well when making revisions on drafts. And although ideally it is great to have clients who do not have any idea what they are looking for and leave it all up to me to create their art, these are the hardest clients to work with. Because as it turns out, what you create is RARELY what they had in mind. As it turns out, they DO have a preconceived idea of what they are looking for, but either do not realize it at the time or cannot convey their ideas verbally. It is the client with specific ideas and thoughts that are the best to deal with.

What kind of medium do you use?
Acrylic paints.

What kind of medium is the hardest [and easiest] to work with?
I cannot work with oil paints. They dry much too slowly. And I have found that although colored pencils and/or graphite are easier to work with, the finished product does not typically sell well or worth as much.

Is traveling involved at all?
Yes, traveling is involved. Art festivals and gallery shows, as well as meeting with clients. But this is somewhat local. I rarely travel over 60 miles even though I have clients who live in Hong Kong, Europe and throughout the United States.

What is your best [and worst] experience?
I have had so many terrific experiences. I am grateful for all of the friends I have made with clients. It is very rewarding when clients are so pleased with what you have created for them that they give rave reviews and post compliments over the Internet where in return many hundreds or thousands of people browsing the Web read these kind words. As far as the worst experience . . . I have had two nightmarish customers who were exceptionally rude. Needless to say one of these clients is no longer in business. I'm not sure about the other.

Interview for High School Student:

Interview and article by http://www.fragrantica.com/

One of lifes simple, but sweet pleasures (beside crepes with Nutella and hot chocolate) is the ability of women to talk for hours about unimportant, for the surroundings trivial subject which probably (read, definitely) arent of worldly importance and dont offer a permanent solution for the problem in the Middle East nor can stop the famine in Africa (but, if given a chance Im sure women could do it more successfully than men), but not only do these conversations, this girl talk give a more profound meaning to the term morning coffee but they embellish our unvaried and sometimes dreary reality.

The pleasure is even greater when you are able to exchange thoughts on beauty and its secrets with women who arent only beautiful but talented, ambitious, interesting, with their fulfilled lives AND great sense of humor. One of them is Shano Mulhall, an artist who lives a life of a diva and seductress through her bold and sexy heroines who are a main subject of her paintings and prints which are bursting with color, glamour and glitter.

Shanos art is featured in galleries and boutiques across America. Her artwork appears on handbags, cosmetic bags, t-shirts, and Italian charm bracelets. The intensity and liveliness of colors, playfulness of her cat-women, her fairytalish angels, sirens and fairies, elegancy of her horses and cats hypnotize, inspire and yield the scent of a woman, the kind of woman we secretly want to resemble( admit it!).

This is a girl talk with Shano Mulhall.

Fragrantica: You are a self proclaimed gypsy? What does that exactly mean?

Shano Mulhall: I have lived in so many places! I grew up in the country on a farm until I was 14 years old then moved across the country to live in the mountains outside of Los Angeles. When I was old enough for college, I lived in the Los Angeles area including the "valley" and then the beach. After a few years I moved to Santa Barbara and eventually onto Park City Utah for school (and the skiing!). And then back to living outside of the Los Angeles area. Shortly thereafter I met my husband who transported me to the Pacific Northwest where we now live on a little island. I moved and moved and kept moving until I found the place that I believe I will live the rest of my life.

Fragrantica: You said that youre devoted to pop-art, fashion and that you are a magazine junky? How much do you find yourself influenced by these in your everyday life?

Shano Mulhall: Unfortunately I am obsessed. Regardless of if I even leave the house, I always wear make up and fix my hair. I watch television and see women wearing clothing and accessories that I have to have. I see hair cuts and styles that I want to try out. I notice lip colors that I want to buy. I notice eye make up and I try to imitate it the next day. Most of the time I think "How much does she NOT have to eat to be that thin?" I'm not sure why I am so intrigued, but I had a hot Mom who fixed herself up and wore make up every day so I blame her for planting that seed.

Fragrantica: What is your fashion/beauty style?

Shano Mulhall: I live on a small island of about 15,000 (seasonally). Jeans and t-shirts are pretty much the standard. I stay far, far away from prints, with the exception of one crazy Pucci-like dress, and another Diane von Furstenberg vintage wrap dress.

But for everyday clothing, I like to mix it up with accessories - Especially bold necklaces, shoes, jackets, or long scarves. I feel naked without earrings and a necklace. Oh, and I'm always in search of the perfect "cute butt jeans". God and my parents gave me a non-existent white girl butt.

Fragrantica: How similar are you with the audacious divas that feature on your paintings?

Shano Mulhall:Oh dear. In social situations I can become quite audacious. I'm working on toning that down a bit. At home my husband is constantly laughing at my girlishness.

Fragrantica: Whats your favorite perfume?

Shano Mulhall: Narciso Rodrigues "For Her". Notes: Honey Flower, Solar Musk, Orange Blossom, Osmanthus, Amberlyn, Vanilla, Tactile Musk, Tactile Woods, Vetiver.

Style: Warm. Sensual. Feminine.

Fragrantica:How do scents and fragrances influence you and your art?

Shano Mulhall: I'm actually quite sensitive to perfumes and scents. I am allergic to a lot of it- most of it. But my home is filled with essential oils and scented soy candles of clove, cinnamon, and Oriental themed scents (Lit all at once it has the most unique scent). I love exotic, bold, earthy, flavors and Narciso Rodrigues "For Her"' perfume embodies my personality and the best thing is that I don't seem to be allergic or sensitive to it! Scents and music can greatly influence and set the tone of a painting.

Fragrantica: You are a very beautiful woman. Are there are beauty secrets youd like to share or do you believe that beauty comes from the inside?

Shano Mulhall: Aw, thanks! Beauty comes from the inside? Definitely. Nothing is sexier than a self-assured woman, or a girl with attitude and style. But as far as the outside goes ... I swear by Yves Rocher's Riche Creme Wrinkle smoothing Eye Creme, and anti-aging face lotions with SPF. I love Sebastian Potion 9 and Biosilk Silk Therapy for the hair. For the body I like Bath and Body Works' Jasmine Vanilla lotion and BOBE Bath Essential's Whipped Soy Body butter in "Cherub" (Bobe bath esentials).

For makeup I like EveryDayMineral.com eye color "exhale" which I use dry as a brow color, and wet as an eye liner. It stays on all day. I'm still in search of the perfect foundation. Right now I'm using Cover Girl's Advanced Radiance which covers well, but stays a bit too shiny all day so I mix it with a tinted moisturizer, also with SPF.

Fragrantica: In which things do you search for beauty? What is beauty to you?

Shano Mulhall: Beauty to me is anything that arouses the visual senses. The color of the autumn leaves, misty mornings, my horses' grace, beauty, and strength. I can find beauty in almost anything. Old, quirky, unique items that I find at thrift stores. I love to hear my friends and family laugh. I love to watch my dogs run and play in the field with all their fur dancing with the motion of their muscles. I love the soft fur and exotic blue eyes of my Siamese Cats. Quiet Sundays where we all curl up in soft blankets read books in the living room around the wood stove. Beauty isn't just fashion to me, it is what warms the soul.

Fragrantica: If you could chose a scent/smell/perfume that best describes your art what would it be?

Shano Mulhall: Spicy. Quiet. Feminine. Raw Musk. Oriental. Exotic flowers. Earthy. Ethereal.

Interviewed by: Dora Vagiana (doroula)
Fragrantica Member

Interview with ChicGalleria.com

Can you share a little bit about your business and how you got started?
As a child, doodling in school would always get me into trouble due to my lack of attention toward the teacher. I was constantly nose to notepad drawing and in my own little world. In 4th grade I had to stay in EACH recess and write my name a THOUSAND times because I sketched an orange lamb where my name should be. But I became an artist out of necessity of all things. As you can probably imagine, it never occurred to me that my "troublesome habits" could earn a living. Thankfully, it was being a stay at home mom that necessitated the supplemental income.

Where do you draw inspiration for your products/service? I have my own little pink love shack 'round back where all the magic happens. http://artbyshano.blogspot.com/2008/05/every-day.html
However, it is the desire to live vicariously through my divas that drives inspiration. Every woman wants to be her most sparkly, exciting, and glamorous self. Why not live it through colorful and audacious women in a painting or print on the wall? I love to browse fashion and rag mags, home decorating books, and watch current and old movies late at night when everybody is safely tucked into bed. I'm also a hopeless bookworm. For the most part I'm always in my own little world. Just ask my friends and family who are always snapping me back into reality!

Describe your best selling items or favorite experience with your business? My best sellers have always been prints. My flasks are greatly catching up, and purses and notecards come in neck-and-neck third. My top selling images are Bubble Bath Diva (or Bathing Beauty), Computer Geek, The Multitasker Series, Big Sky Country, and of course the catwomen are huge. Favorite experience with business? It's strange and unnerving, but nonetheless it amazes and astounds me when people act like I'm a celebrity or ask for an autograph or photo. Dude. It's just me. Good ole goofball me with the attention span of a flea.

What are your future plans? I live day to day but hope to paint when the mood strikes, and ride my horses when the sun shines, hug my family when they make me smile.

ART - Interview from WhoHub

What do you do? How do you define yourself as an artist?
I am a Pop Art Illustrator that creates fashion illustration paintings.

What is your message?
Femininity, grace, beauty, and sexuality in art.

Your biography in four lines.
Too many to list here. I have been creating professionally for over 8 years.

Do you upload your work to the web? If so, where could we see it?
http://www.shano-studio.com

How is an idea born? For you, what is inspiration?
Beauty, grace, and color of God's creatures.

What role does techonology play in your creative process?
MASSIVE. Nearly most of my marketing is done online. I also scan, upload, and color correct on the computer.

What is art?
A captured moment meant to be savored.

When do you get your best ideas?
In the solitude of everyday life. A quiet moment in a busy time.

How do you evaluate whether an idea is good or not?
Whether or not it appeals to me, or if I can appreciate someone else's (the artist's) train of thought or creativity.

Three creative ideas that you would have liked to have created?
Erte's costumes
Lempicka's sexuality
Lichtenstein's expression and color

When and how did you begin to see yourself as an artist?
As soon as people take notice and admire your creativity.

Why do so many artists and creators have such volatile personalities?
Because they are trapped inside their head. Outside influences can be intrusive.

Do you consider yourself postmodern?
I hope not.

How should a work of art be evaluated?
Composition and creativity.

Must an artist reinvent him/herself everyday?
Double edged question. Yes, try to think outside of the box, but stay true to yourself.

Which artists do you admire and how do they influence your work?
Lichtenstein, Tamara de Lempicka, Erte, Gil Elvgin, Franz Marc, Amedeo Modgliani, Chagal, Gustav Klimt

What do you think about public funding for the arts?
What's not to like?

Is art necessary?
It's unavoidable.

Does it pain you to let go of a piece you have sold?
Some. Only a few actually. I can always create more.

Is a work of art purchased, or is it better said, that it is the artist who is bought?
Artists who think so take themselves far too seriously.

In art, there is no guide. How do you know what the next step is?
So what you want. There are no rules to art.

How do you feel about the fact that the pieces exhibited in contemporary art museums are often of artists already deceased?
Galleries are for the living. Museums for the dead.

What role have the figures of art dealer, gallery owners, representatives, and intermediaries in general played in your career?
You take the good with the bad. They can be helpful, they can be overbearing, they can be human. But if they can play the role of a stepping stone to get you further, take that road and stick with it.

What types of jobs do you usually do?
Commissioned paintings as well as illustrations for business logos.

Which of your jobs or tasks do you most enjoy?
Definitely painting. Creating my OWN ideas.

Do you personally collect any items?
I wouldn't begin to know where to start. Artsy objects. Occupied Japan demitasse cups, Folk Halloween items, collie dog things, horse things- such as horse bits, old children's illustration books. Sparkly things.

Which websites do you frequently visit?
craigslist, local news websites, canihasacheeseburger, Fugly Horse of the Day, various art blogs.

What advice would you give to those just beginning?
Think high price low. Build your way up.